[thatfrenchgal]

Hi there folks,
I wonder if any more experienced tomato-growers would be willing to throw their hat into the ring and guess what's ailing my beloved Tumbling Tom seedlings?

I've tried to take clear shots of the problem - the leaves have started developing these funny pale patches.
I can't see any visible bugs, although there are some slightly suspicious bits of black muck sticking to the stems/undersides of some leaves (and previous battles with spider mite on other plants mean I'm always suspicious of 'bits' stuck underneath leaves).
A random search through google images leads me to suspect blight or perhaps a leaf miner?

They're being grown indoors because there is simply no way they could survive on our balcony with the gale-force winds we're having! Sigh - serves me right for moving to Northern Ireland, I guess - they're nothing like my native Australian blousy spring breezes, that's for sure! I'd idly hoped the little tom's would be able to move out from the windowsill to the balcony when and if the weather improves, but from the looks of this leaf business I'm now starting to doubt it'll come to that... !

I'd very much appreciate any educated guesses and/or suggestions.
Many thanks,
Frenchie

[thatfrenchgal]

Another shot - in case it helps!

[DD.]

Firstly welcome to the forums. Maybe you could pop your location in your profile, It can help with some growing queries.

It looks like simple sun scald, where water droplets have magnified the sun's rays. Nothing to worry about, the plant will grow through it, just try & avoid getting water on the leaves.

[gillian62]

Yes, i agree.  It's quite common.  I try not to spray young leaves when watering.

[cooperman]

yes looks like scorch..... the same effect is caused by cold....

Ideally toms should be started off under heat (window ledge is ok but second best) and once they germinate kept in bright but not direct sunlight, once they develop their second pair of leaves they must be potted up, ideally in 4" pots but if you use smaller ones remember they soon outgrow these and need potting on again.

[Bailz]

Is it best to water the compost/soil instead of the plant itself? cheers neil

[DD.]

Yes, preferably from below.

[fatbelly]

My Brandywine Toms in the unheated G/House have the same and we have had very little sun since they went it. Mine is probably due to the cold we have had this past two weeks.

[Trillium]

It doesn't take much light to scald young plant leaves. Sometimes the high alkalinity of water can do that on its own.

As for spider mite, try to space your plants apart for better air flow and don't be too generous with the watering - give only just enough to keep the plant healthy but not too moist.